The Roots - Game Theory (CD)

Game Theory

By Yahoo! Shopping User  Dec 11, 2006

Pros: Great beats/ Great lyrics

Cons: Production could have been a little tighter

For those scared that The Roots were on the road to selling out when they signed with Jay-Z’s mainstream Def Jam Label, rest assured, they haven’t. The Philadelphia based group, consisting of drummer ?uestlove, bassist Hub, and rappers Black Though...t and Malik B., continue to transcend hip-hop and change their style in innovative ways. Their sixth album is no exception. The Tipping Point, represents a darker side of the group, and covers current issues from President Bush, the war on terror, guns in schools, and the dissolution media, to more personal issues such as depression, alcoholism, and growing up in the streets of the ghetto. Not taking anything away from front-man Black Thought, but ?uestlove is the true star of this album. His beats provide enhance Black Thought’s awe-inspiring lyrics and give beat junkies something to drool over. Having said this, Black Thought, coming off a couple mediocre solo albums is at the top of his game here. On “Long Time,” which contains the albums sickest Prince-esque psychedelic beat, the rapper sheds light into his harsh beginnings, “Struck by the luck of the draw/?Real life preservation/?What I'm hustling for/?My name black thought/?The definition of raw/?I was born in South Philly?on a cement floor/?I had nothing at all/?Had to knuckle and brawl/” and when he first discovered the talent for his gift of gab, “Live and direct/ I don't need no mic check/ Remember mommy told me/ You ain't write that/ It started in the bathroom taking a dump/ Listening to Ultramagnetic/ Ego tripping you won't.” The highlight songs of this album include “False Media,” which contains a highly political undercurrent set to an almost mystical down tempo beat. The sound is fresh and unique interchanging Black Thought’s soothing flows with a slow deep voice professing, “America's lost somewhere inside of Littleton/?Eleven million children are on Ritalin/?That's whay I don't rhyme for the sake of riddling/?False media, we don't need it, do we?/?Pilgrims, Slaves, Indian, Mexican/?It looks real f***ed up for your next of kin/?That's why I don't rhyme for the sake of riddling/?False media.” The one lighter track on the album is “Baby,” and it is executed exceptionally well sampling the Radiohead track “Atonement.” The gloomier rock chorus contrasts nicely with Thought’s uplifting lyrics. With only thirteen tracks I would have liked to see a few more songs like this, but I’ll take what I can get. “In the Music” has a great hook and nice sound to it with a hardcore beat although Thought could have eased off the “keeping it real” generic lyrics just a little. It still represents some the rapper’s best battle raps since Illadelph Half Life. The final track of the album is an eight-minute homage to The Roots recently deceased producer J-Dilla. It is an excellent reminder of the late producer’s extensive catalogue and groundbreaking work with not only The Roots, but also Slum Village, A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, and Busta Rhymes. While this album is not a classic, it does signify a huge leap in the right direction for the Philly group. It is the polar opposite from the light and Jazzy Do You Want More?!!!??! but equally as dope. It is hard to believe that The Roots have been in the rap game for over ten years. They have survived this long because they are constantly adapting to fit with the times, but still remain themselves. Many speculated that Def Jams would be the downfall for The Roots. They couldn’t have been more wrong. If you are in to hip-hop packed full of political/societal messages that you can still bang your head to, then go out and buy this album. Read more Less